Carpenter tops the National League with 32 home runs, a .600 slugging percentage and 65 extra-base hits.

Carpenter sent a fastball from Burch Smith into the right-field fountains for a two-out , two-run drive. He extended his career high for homers as the Cardinals scored five times in the second.

Paul DeJong led off the inning with his 11th home run. Bader and Jose Martinez, who had three hits, contributed RBI singles to set up Carpenter.

Harrison Bader homered in the sixth and Martinez had an RBI double in the seventh.

Gomber (2-0) allowed four hits, walked one, hit a batter and struck out three in his third major league start.

Daniel Poncedeleon allowed two hits over three innings to notch his first big league save.

Gomber worked out of a bases-loaded jam in third, which Adalberto Mondesi led off with a triple. After retiring the next two batters, Gomber walked Rosell Herrera and hit Salvador Perez with a pitch. Hunter Dozier flied out to end the inning.

Smith (1-4) gave up five runs on six hits, a walk and a hit batter in 1 2/3 innings. In six starts, Smith has a 9.67 ERA, allowing 24 earned runs in 22 1/3 innings.

The Royals stranded 11 runners and went 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position. The Royals lost for the seventh time in eight games.

NO GORDON

Royals LF Alex Gordon, who hit .366 with six multihit games in the past 11 games he had started, was not in the lineup. Manager Ned Yost said he wanted to give Gordon two straight days off with the club idle Thursday.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Cardinals: RF Yairo Munoz left in the sixth inning with a sprained right wrist after swinging at a pitch. Adolis Garcia replaced Munoz and singled in the eighth for his first big league hit. ... OF Tyler O'Neill (right groin inflammation) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Memphis. ... RHP John Brebbia (right forearm tightness) was placed on the disabled list retroactive to Monday. ... RHP Adam Wainwright (right elbow inflammation) threw batting practice at the club's complex in Jupiter, Florida. "All reports of that were favorable," Cards interim manager Mike Shildt said. "We'll see how he recovers." He said the team is evaluating whether Wainwright throws another batting practice or begins a minor league rehab assignment.

Royals: OF Brian Gordon (left groin strain) ran the bases as his final hurdle before coming off the disabled list. He said he is at about 80 percent.